Immediate Release
Baltimore, Maryland (January 15,
2013)
The National Federation
of the Blind, the largest organization of blind people in the United States
with over 50,000 members, including many deaf-blind individuals, commented today
on the state-sanctioned death by lethal injection of deaf twins in Belgium.
Upon learning that they were also going blind, the deaf twins sought and were
granted euthanasia.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the
National
Federation of the Blind, said: “This disturbing news from
Belgium is a stark example of the
common, and in this case tragic, misunderstanding of disability and its
consequences. Adjustment to any disability is difficult, and deaf-blind people
face their own particular challenges, but from at least the time of Helen Keller
it has been known that these challenges can be met, and the technology and
services available today have vastly improved prospects for the deaf-blind and
others with disabilities. That these men wanted to die is tragic; that the
state sanctioned and aided their suicide is frightening.”
About the National Federation of the
Blind
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, and most influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in the
CONTACT:
Chris
Danielsen
Director of Public
Relations
National Federation
of the Blind
(410) 659-9314,
extension 2330
(410) 262-1281
(Cell)
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